Umno vice-president Ismail bows out of party race

February 27, 2023

Umno vice-president Ismail bows out of party race

PETALING JAYA: Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob will not be defending his party position which he has held since 2018.

He confirmed this to Malaysiakini in a brief text message. “Yes,” the former prime minister replied when asked to confirm that he is not running for another term at the party elections on March 18.

Ismail, who is MP for Bera, did not provide any reason but said he will issue a press statement soon.

Umno members will elect three vice-presidents, and members of the Supreme Council and divisional committees on March 18. Nominations closed at 5pm today.

So far, incumbent vice-presidents Khaled Nordin and Mahdzir Khalid and seven others have submitted their nomination forms to vie for the vice-presidencies.

The seven are: Pontian Umno chief Hasni Mohammad, Titiwangsa MP Johari Ghani, foreign minister Zambry Abdul Kadir, Pahang Umno chief Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Supreme Council member Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, former Kepala Batas MP Reezal Merican Naina Merican, and Pengerang MP Azalina Othman Said.

Ismail was previously reported as being unsure of whether he would defend his vice-president’s post, although he confirmed he would be defending his position as Bera Umno division chief.

In August 2021, Ismail became the prime minister and was also the shortest serving premier, holding the position for only 14 months.

The Umno leader has been critical of several decisions made by the party recently, such as the no-contest motion for the president and deputy president positions.

He had also expressed unhappiness over the sacking and suspension of several party leaders, such as former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and former information chief Shahril Hamdan.